“Lead the charge? Hold the scene? Save face?”

Ink Painting was startled.

Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi also looked at each other in blank dismay.

Ink Painting asked, “Master, what should I do?”

“Very simple,” Mr. Zhuang smiled faintly. “You go and compete with them, win them, and then you can learn the Five Elements Spirit Array.”

“Compete in first-grade array methods?”

“First-grade.”

Ink Painting’s eyes lit up.

He was not afraid of anyone when it came to first-grade array methods, except for Mr. Zhuang, of course.

But he wouldn’t be careless.

Ink Painting frowned and said, “Master, what if the Five Elements Sect plays tricks and I lose?”

Losing himself didn’t really matter.

Personal win or loss was of no consequence.

Although the Five Elements Absolute Array was important, learning it was just a matter of time.

The most crucial problem was, what if he lost? Then he would lose Master’s face.

Master’s face was the big deal!

Ink Painting’s expression became serious.

Mr. Zhuang’s heart warmed slightly, and he immediately raised an eyebrow and said,

“Don’t worry, you are my disciple. How can they win against you?”

These words were subtle, but Ink Painting felt they were very reasonable and nodded involuntarily. However, he still looked a little worried.

Mr. Zhuang’s gaze shifted slightly, and he said again,

“Do you still remember the words I told you initially?”

Ink Painting was a little confused, not knowing which words Mr. Zhuang was referring to.

Mr. Zhuang pretended to regret, sighed, and said,

“That year, I went to the Five Elements Sect, wanting to learn their absolute array, but for various reasons, I didn’t learn it, and therefore suffered their contempt and lost a lot of face…”

“This enmity from that year, I haven’t been able to avenge.

“Now, I’m counting on you to help Master get back this scene…”

Suffered contempt, lost face?

Ink Painting’s small face tensed, and he immediately said with high fighting spirit,

“Master, don’t worry! I will definitely get back this scene for you, and beat them until flowers fall and water flows!”

“Then learn their sect’s ultimate technique and anger them to death!”

Mr. Zhuang smiled proudly and said, “Good, beat them until flowers fall and water flows, and then anger them to death!”

Outside the door, Puppet Old heard these words and couldn’t help but shake his head.

So old, yet still like a child, gambling, getting angry, and being greedy for victory.

Ink Painting thought for a while and then asked, “Master, no need to hold back?”

Mr. Zhuang shook his head, “Not only no need, you also have to be a bit arrogant.”

“Arrogant?”

“Correct,” Mr. Zhuang said, “Use the technique of pretending to be a model that I taught you once.”

“Pretend to be a model?”

Ink Painting couldn’t quite remember.

Mr. Zhuang demonstrated it again for Ink Painting.

He restrained his gentle expression, his eyebrows and eyes became sharp, his expression turned cold, he raised his head indifferently, like a dust-sealed sword from another world. As he looked around, his momentum was majestic, like a blue dragon overlooking the world.

His demeanor made people dare not look directly at him.

Mr. Zhuang quickly restrained his demeanor, and his expression became gentle again, “Did you remember?”

“Um um.”

Ink Painting’s eyes lit up, and he subsequently did the same.

He raised his head, put his hands on his waist, and on his white and tender small face, there was an expression that seemed to see no one.

Only, he didn’t look like a dragon, but like a fierce little tiger.

Mr. Zhuang couldn’t help but touch Ink Painting’s head and evaluated:

“A bit lacking, but it’ll do. Practice more later.”

“Good, Master!” Ink Painting said obediently.

Puppet Old looked at this pair of master and disciple, his expression even more speechless…

Mr. Zhuang then instructed Ink Painting again:

“In a few days, you will lead the charge and also stand guard for your senior brother and senior sister. Whoever wins against you can then compete in array methods with your senior brother and senior sister.”

As Mr. Zhuang said this, Ink Painting understood:

“I am the threshold!”

Whoever wanted to enter the door and compete with his senior brother and senior sister must first cross this threshold of his.

Mr. Zhuang nodded happily.

This child was just smart.

Bai Zisheng on the side felt a little nervous, “Master, my array methods are not as good as junior brother’s…”

Bai Zisheng was still very self-aware. Although he was the senior brother, his array method level was far from Ink Painting’s.

If someone could really win against Ink Painting, then he would definitely not be an opponent.

Bai Zixi was still okay. Although her array method level was not as good as Ink Painting’s, it was still very high.

But he would be exposed.

Mr. Zhuang smiled faintly, “No harm, your little junior brother’s threshold is very high…”

Moreover, it was a “high” that was out of reach.

Mr. Zhuang thought of Ink Painting in the Qi Refining period, and his current array method level, and he couldn’t help but sigh in his heart.

Ink Painting was praised by Mr. Zhuang and smiled with squinting eyes.

In the following days, the Five Elements Sect seemed calm and quiet on the surface, but in secret, people came and went, delivering letters, bargaining…

Sect Master Liao greeted guests and sent them off.

The elders moved frequently.

Some strange disciples also quietly appeared in the Five Elements Sect…

Mr. Zhuang sat in front of the window, watching all this with calm waves, unmoved.

A few days later, Sect Master Liao came to invite Mr. Zhuang and said respectfully,

“The Dao Discussion Meeting is about to begin. Please, Mr. Zhuang and several esteemed disciples, move to the Hidden Array Pavilion.”

Mr. Zhuang nodded slightly, stood up facing Ink Painting, and said to Bai Zisheng and Bai Zixi,

“Let’s go.”

Dao Discussion Meeting.

It was a grand meeting for cultivators to discuss the Dao.

It was also a general term for various meetings of cultivators.

Cultivators gathered together to discuss cultivation, knowledge, refining tools, refining pills, array methods, and even raising spirit beasts, cats, and dogs.

The Dao Discussion Meeting of the Five Elements Sect was mainly for verifying array methods.

The Hidden Array Pavilion was a cultivation pavilion built by the sect to collect array methods.

Inside, it hid array books, array diagrams, precious inks, ancient pens, famous array papers, and a series of other cultivation items related to array methods.

The Hidden Array Pavilion was a confidential place and one of the venues for important sect cultivation discussion meetings.

The Five Elements Sect was founded on array methods and now prospered on earth and wood, so the Hidden Array Pavilion was built very large and luxurious.

The Hidden Array Pavilion had a total of four layers.

The venue for the Dao Discussion Meeting was on the most spacious first layer, with carved beams and painted rafters, golden and magnificent.

At this time, pens, inks, tables, and cases were all prepared, and the disciples of the Five Elements Sect were already seated.

In the upper seats were the Great Elder of the Five Elements Sect, Sect Master Liao, various elders, and honored guests.

The Great Elder, who had been in seclusion for a long time, had emerged.

Beside the Great Elder were two old men in brocade clothes, splendid dresses, gold crowns, and jade decorations. Their aura was thick, and they were impressively two great cultivators at the Golden Core realm.

At this time, the Great Elder was discussing in a low voice with these two old men:

“…This person is surnamed Zhuang, with a very big background, not suitable to go into detail…”

“It’s an agreement from the ancestors, we have to comply…”

“But the sect has declined, and it’s not like before… we are being bullied to the core…”

“…They covet my Five Elements Sect’s absolute array from the ancestors…”

“Please, two old friends, you must! Help my Five Elements Sect with all your might!”

The Great Elder deliberately played the victim, his words sincere.

The other two old men said “certainly, certainly!” but their expressions were indifferent, appearing somewhat uninterested.

The Great Elder cursed them in his heart.

Really, people get refined when they get old!

The older they are, the more worldly.

They don’t do anything without profit, and they are stingy.

The Great Elder cupped his hands and said, “Sect Master Chu, Brother Shen… After the matter is done, there will be generous gifts…”

The Great Elder’s hand was hidden in his sleeve, secretly gesturing a number of spirit stones, letting these two old men see.

Both of them’s eyes lit up.

The old man surnamed Shen was the old ancestor of the Shen family, a family specializing in array methods in the nearby Sixian City, with a cultivation at the early stage of the Golden Core.

His originally cold old face immediately bloomed into a smile, and his tone became very familiar:

“Great Elder is too polite, you’re being too courteous, too courteous ah…”

Afterward, the old ancestor of the Shen family said with a serious face,

“The Dao Court is unified, cultivators act according to the law. No matter how big the background, they have to follow the rules. As the saying goes, a strong dragon does not suppress a local snake. Great Elder, rest assured, I will uphold justice for you!”

He was the old ancestor of the Shen family.

The Shen family had a large business and many disciples, consuming a lot of spirit stones. They never disliked more.

The Great Elder cursed in his heart, “Old thing who sees money and opens his eyes,” while putting on a smiling face and cupping his hands in praise:

“Brother Shen is righteous and kind, this old brother admires!”

On the other side, the well-dressed Sect Master Chu hesitated slightly, and after weighing it for a moment, said,

“Old brother, I don’t want these spirit stones.”

Doesn’t want spirit stones…

The Great Elder was not only not happy, but instead, he felt a sense of alarm.

Not wanting spirit stones did not mean he really didn’t want them.

It was very possible that the spirit stones were not to his liking.

This Sect Master Chu was the Supreme Sect Master of the Array Mystic Sect. He was already old and had retired early, holding an empty title, but in the sect, he was highly respected and still held significant influence.

The Array Mystic Sect was proficient in array methods and did not value spirit stones as much.

As expected, Sect Master Chu continued,

“I only need to borrow the array diagram of your Five Elements Protective Mountain Great Array to take a look…”

The Great Elder’s expression suddenly changed, and he quickly said,

“No way, absolutely no way!”

Five Elements Protective Mountain Great Array array diagram?

You’re dreaming!

How can you be allowed to see the array diagram of a great array?

This is not equivalent to showing you all the family’s assets?

This old man is immortal!

The Great Elder cursed angrily in his heart.

The old ancestor of the Shen family on the side also said in a sarcastic tone,

“Spirit stones are external things, array methods are the foundation of standing. Getting some spirit stones is just okay, being greedy for others’ foundation is a bit thick-skinned…”

Sect Master Chu was not angry but bargained,

“I can only look at the first-grade.”

“First-grade is also not okay.”

“I won’t look at the actual array diagram, only the simple diagram.”

“Brother Chu, don’t make things difficult for me…”

Sect Master Chu then put on a serious face, “Old brother, you don’t trust me?”

“This is not a matter of trust or not trust…”

Sect Master Chu knew the Great Elder’s worries and then said,

“The difficulty of a first-grade great array and a second-grade great array is vastly different. The array patterns are as different as heaven and earth. Even if some array hubs are similar, the essence is still two completely different kinds of array methods…”

“The one your Five Elements Sect has is a second-grade great array.”

“I’m only looking at the first-grade array diagram, which actually has no impact on your Five Elements Sect.”

The Great Elder hesitated, “This…”

Sect Master Chu sighed, lamenting,

“Chu has no other requests in this life, just wants to extensively view array diagrams.”

“Now your Five Elements Sect is in danger. I’m stepping forward to vent this anger for you, looking at the past friendship between our two sects…”

“Now you’re pushing back and prevaricating when I raise this small request. It really makes this old brother feel chilled…”

Sect Master Chu’s expression was disappointed.

But the Great Elder knew in his heart that this was a tactic of advancing by retreating, taking the opportunity to coerce him.

If he didn’t let him look at the array diagram, he would just stand by and not help their Five Elements Sect.

The key was that their Array Mystic Sect was founded on array methods and was very strong.

The Five Elements Sect gradually declined, while the Array Mystic Sect flourished. There were numerous array method geniuses among their sect’s disciples.

If this person surnamed Chu didn’t help, it was really hard to say who would win or lose.

Relying on the disciples of the Five Elements Sect and the geniuses of the Shen family and several other families, they might not be able to compare to Mr. Zhuang’s high-level disciples, that pair of siblings.

The Great Elder pondered for a moment and said through gritted teeth,

“Good! Considering the hundreds of years of friendship between our two sects, I promise you!”

Sect Master Chu’s expression lit up with joy.

The Great Elder then changed the subject and said, “However, you can only look at this array diagram in this Hidden Array Pavilion, and only for one day. You are not allowed to take it away.”

Sect Master Chu frowned, “What can you see in one day?”

Although it was only first-grade, it was still a great array…

The array patterns were complex, the array hubs profound, and the single arrays numerous.

Although he was in the Golden Core realm, he was only a high-grade array master of the second-grade. He didn’t have much confidence in mastering seven or eight parts of a first-grade great array in one day.

Sect Master Chu thought about it again and felt that it wasn’t just a lack of confidence, but rather no confidence at all…

“Three days!”

Sect Master Chu said, “Three days time, I’ll look at this great array array diagram!”

The Great Elder cursed in his heart again.

Three days time?

That’s one glance?

Your glance is really too long, isn’t it?

“Two days!” the Great Elder said.

Sect Master Chu immediately became bolder, “Two and a half days!”

The Great Elder said resolutely, “Just two days! If not, then forget it, I’ll find others…”

“Good!” Sect Master Chu immediately agreed, “Two days! Just two days!”

The old ancestor of the Shen family looked displeased and said in a sarcastic tone,

“We are all Golden Core cultivators, sect old ancestors, not small vendors in the market, haggling over every ounce for some trifling profits…”

Although he spoke sarcastically, he actually regretted it greatly in his heart.

If he had known earlier, he should have also bargained.

The world is bustling, all for profit.

The world is bustling, all for profit.

It’s not shameful to seek spirit stones.

Taking this opportunity to talk a bit and get more benefits is better than anything else.

What a pity, it’s too late…

He had already promised, so he couldn’t go back on his word and increase the price.

People can be shameless, but not so shameless…

The old ancestor of the Shen family sighed.

Immediately, he also felt a little strange in his heart. This Sect Master Chu didn’t want the large sum of spirit stones and changed it for two days to look at the first-grade Five Elements Protective Mountain Great Array? What was he doing?

The old ancestor of the Shen family looked at Sect Master Chu, his gaze somewhat meaningful, but he didn’t pursue it.

After the interests were properly discussed, the Great Elder began to talk about the following arrangements:

“That person has a total of three disciples.”

“Among the three, the youngest disciple is very young and is already a first-grade array master.”

“The other two are a pair of siblings, with astonishing aptitude, their depths are unfathomable, and their array method levels are unknown. But since they are senior brother and senior sister, they must be even more profound than that small disciple.”

“At least they are first-grade!”

“Moreover, they are definitely senior first-grade array masters!”

The Great Elder found it a little difficult to say, but still said:

“That small array master, with the strength of our Five Elements Sect, can still cope.”

“But that pair of siblings with astonishing talent, we have no confidence.”

The Great Elder cupped his hands to Sect Master Chu and the old ancestor of the Shen family and said,

“At that time, I will have to trouble the disciples of the Array Mystic Sect and the geniuses of the Shen family and other families to make a move and help us win the array competition to preserve the inheritance of my Five Elements Sect!”

Sect Master Chu nodded, “This is natural.”

He also wanted to take this opportunity to showcase the array method strength of the Array Mystic Sect.

Let everyone know that after the Five Elements Sect declined, their Array Mystic Sect was the true leader of the array dao.

The Five Elements Sect set the stage, and they sang the play.

It was really more suitable than anything else.

The old ancestor of the Shen family thought about the large sum of spirit stones and the first-grade Five Elements Protective Mountain Great Array array diagram, still somewhat puzzled, and couldn’t help but frown and ask the Great Elder:

“Are that person’s disciples really that fierce, worth you spending such a big price?”

The Great Elder’s eyebrows twitched.

In the past, the Five Elements Sect had abundant talents and naturally wasn’t afraid to compete with Mr. Zhuang’s disciples—unless these disciples really had Mr. Zhuang’s kind of unparalleled comprehension and talent…

The Great Elder sighed in his heart.

Objectively speaking, they couldn’t compare with Mr. Zhuang.

But still, that sentence, after so many years, there was only one Mr. Zhuang.

Mr. Zhuang’s disciples were not Mr. Zhuang after all. Even if they were fierce, there was still a limit.

The Great Elder then brought up the idea of the Dao Discussion Assembly and competing in array methods.

Although the Five Elements Sect was not doing well, the Great Elder was unwilling to admit defeat, lose face, and damage his prestige, so he said,

“Their talent is extremely good. How exactly their array method level is, we still have to compete to know…”

“Perhaps, they are not opponents of my Five Elements Sect disciples…”

The Great Elder began to put a golden facade on himself, and then tactfully said,

“However, this matter is related to the sect’s inheritance. This is a big deal. I also have to be cautious and meticulously arrange everything to avoid accidents and prevent the sect’s inheritance from falling into the hands of others.”

“Even if we pay some price, it’s worth it!”

Sect Master Chu and the old ancestor of the Shen family also nodded.

Even if they now looked down on the array method level of the Five Elements Sect, the Great Elder’s consideration was valid.

Matters related to sect secret inheritance, no matter how cautious, were right.

Sect Master Chu then said, “Great Elder, rest assured, the Five Elements Sect got its name from the Five Elements Spirit Array. This absolute array will certainly stay in the Five Elements Sect, and no one can learn it!”

The Great Elder was overjoyed, “Many thanks, Sect Master Chu!”

The old ancestor of the Shen family frowned and said, “However, those who dare to covet the absolute array must have several disciples with extraordinary talent.”

Sect Master Chu said calmly, “No harm!”

He smiled coldly, “Array methods are vast and profound, requiring both talent and diligent study. Even with talent, it’s impossible to be proficient in everything.”

“Array patterns, array hubs, array eyes, array principles, and some profound array dao methods, it’s impossible to cover everything.”

“Every tool has its strengths, every inch has its weaknesses.”

“Even brilliant array masters are the same.”

“If Mr. Zhuang’s disciples are of average strength, we will openly defeat them, teach them a lesson, and let them experience the vastness and profundity of array methods, and the mystery and unfathomable nature of array principles.”

“Let them understand the truth that there is a sky beyond the sky and people beyond people.”

“If they are indeed extraordinarily talented and have outstanding array methods…”

“Then we will use our strengths to attack their weaknesses!”

“We have so many disciples, each with specialties. There are always places where we are stronger than them. Competing this way, we can also win against them.”

“Although it’s a bit of a win without martial virtue, the sect’s inheritance is a big matter, and there’s no need to stick to these details.”

“Winning is winning, losing is losing.”

“Since they dare to come and learn array methods, they should have this psychological preparation. If their skills are inferior, they have no right to complain!”

The Great Elder nodded in praise, “Good!”

The old ancestor of the Shen family also stroked his beard and said “Good.”

After the discussion, they sat properly, waiting for Mr. Zhuang and the others.

The noisy disciples in the Hidden Array Pavilion also gradually quieted down…

Half an hour later, Mr. Zhuang, bringing Ink Painting and the other two, walked into the Hidden Array Pavilion in front of the crowd.

The Hidden Array Pavilion became instantly quieter, a needle could be heard dropping.

The three Golden Core old ancestors who were originally cultivating with their eyes closed all opened their eyes. Their aged gazes contained a sharp light as they looked at the incoming people.

This was that Mr. Zhuang!

Indeed, he had an immortal presence and was unparalleled.

The man and woman behind him, were they that pair of siblings?

Indeed, they had the bearing of dragons and phoenixes, with flawless dao bones.

And the one behind them…

All three were startled.

Why did he look so small?

Although they all knew beforehand that he was a first-grade small array master at only ten-something years old, seeing him in person still felt incredible.

He was too young…

This was a first-grade array master?

They were joking, right…

They had been discussing in earnest for half a day, and the result was just this small child.

Competing with him, wasn’t that bullying?

(End of chapter)